LAGOS JULY 28TH (NEWSRANGERS)-At least three persons have reportedly died after a three-storey student hostel collapsed in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, with emergency responders continuing frantic efforts to rescue others feared trapped beneath the rubble.
Sources told SaharaReporters on Monday that three bodies were recovered from the debris during ongoing search-and-rescue operations, although the Anambra State Police Command has yet to officially confirm the reported fatalities.
The collapsed building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, is located beside Tonimas Filling Station in the Amokpala area of Oko, a university community that hosts thousands of students.
The tragedy occurred late on Sunday, throwing the community into panic as residents, students and passers-by rushed to the scene after hearing a loud crash.
Videos and photographs from the scene showed scores of people gathering around the collapsed structure while local volunteers joined security agencies and emergency officials in removing debris in search of survivors.
While eyewitnesses and local sources insisted that three people had been confirmed dead, the police said rescue operations were still ongoing and that it could not yet verify the number of casualties.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said a police-led joint security team immediately responded after receiving a distress report about the collapse.
According to the police, officers secured the area to prevent further danger while coordinating rescue efforts with other emergency agencies.
“The Anambra State Police-led joint security team assures ongoing rescue operations following the late-night incident on Sunday involving the collapse of a three-storey building known as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station, Amokpala, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
“The incident resulted in some occupants being trapped beneath the rubble.
“On receipt of the distress report, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area to prevent further danger, and coordinated rescue efforts,” the statement said.
The command added that the Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were also participating in the rescue mission.
“The Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also responded promptly and joined in the rescue operation.
“The Command notes that rescue operations are ongoing to reach other persons who may still be trapped as the number of casualties or affected persons cannot yet be confirmed.
“Also, some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical attention.”
The police appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified reports, urging members of the public to stay away from the disaster scene to allow emergency personnel unrestricted access.
“Members of the public, especially residents in the area, are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access.
“Further updates will be communicated as more verified information becomes available,” the statement added.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the safety of student hostels and residential buildings in Oko, which serves as one of Anambra State’s major higher education hubs.
Building collapses have become a recurring tragedy across Nigeria, with experts repeatedly attributing many incidents to structural defects, poor construction standards, the use of substandard materials, weak regulatory enforcement and failure to comply with approved building specifications.
Authorities are expected to commence investigations to determine the immediate and remote causes of the collapse after rescue operations are concluded.
SaharaReporters
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